Udupi: The BJP Karnataka Media Cell has alleged that the Karnataka government’s notification on the Karnataka Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC), 2026, raises constitutional, legal and national security concerns and has urged the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to intervene.
Addressing a press conference in Udupi, BJP district president Kuthyar Naveen Shetty alleged that the notification could affect the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls and called for closer scrutiny of the state’s move.
BJP questions timing of PRC notification
Kuthyar Naveen Shetty said the state government had issued the PRC notification while the Election Commission was conducting the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
He alleged that the Election Commission has prescribed clear guidelines for the SIR process and argued that the state government should not introduce an alternative mechanism that could potentially be misused for electoral purposes.
According to him, if a person’s name is omitted from the draft electoral roll during the SIR process, the procedure laid down by the Election Commission should be followed rather than creating any parallel route that could be used to facilitate inclusion in the voters’ list.
Raises national security concerns
The BJP leader claimed the issue had wider implications for national security.
He said the objective of the Special Intensive Revision is to ensure that only eligible Indian citizens are included in the electoral rolls while preventing the inclusion of ineligible persons.
Shetty maintained that genuine Indian citizens have every right to vote and stated that those whose names appeared on earlier electoral rolls or who possess valid supporting documents would continue to have avenues to establish their eligibility under the Election Commission’s guidelines.
He alleged that such provisions do not apply to foreign nationals or illegal immigrants and expressed concern that any relaxation could have broader implications.
Former BJP district president criticises notification
Former BJP district president Mattar Rathnakar Hegde said the Special Intensive Revision is conducted exclusively by the Election Commission of India.
He stated that neither the Central Government nor the state government has the authority to interfere in the electoral revision process, adding that the role of state governments is limited to providing officials and volunteers required for the exercise.
Hegde also criticised the Karnataka government over the PRC notification and alleged that it could create a mechanism through which persons without adequate documentation might eventually seek inclusion in electoral rolls.
He further alleged that, in some places, enumeration forms were being distributed at large gatherings instead of through door-to-door visits by Booth Level Officers, as prescribed by the Election Commission.
BJP alleges constitutional and legal issues
The BJP argued that the classification proposed under the Karnataka Permanent Resident Certificate notification is arbitrary and lacks a rational connection to a legitimate constitutional objective.
The party alleged that the notification violates Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law, by creating a separate legal status without constitutional sanction.
It also expressed concern that the eligibility criteria rely primarily on residence and verification by revenue officials.
According to the BJP, the notification does not mandate verification of Indian citizenship through competent central authorities and lacks adequate safeguards to identify illegal immigrants or foreign nationals.
Party seeks Union government’s intervention
The BJP said it has sought the intervention of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, urging it to examine the notification in light of constitutional provisions, electoral processes and national security considerations.
The state government has not issued an official response to the BJP’s allegations.
Among those present at the press conference were Dinakar Shetty Herga, General Secretary of BJP Udupi; Srikanth Nayak, District Chief Secretary; and Shivkumar Ambalpady, District Secretary of BJP Udupi.